Pody unopposed in Senate District 17 GOP primary

State Rep. Mark Pody of Lebanon was the only Republican to file qualifying papers by Thursday’s deadline for the special election in state Senate District 17 seat, reports The Wilson Post. Attorney Mary Alice Carfi was the only Democrat to qualify.

That means, of course, that the Nov. 7 primary outcome is already decided. The general election pitting Pody against Carfi, who lives in Lebanon and has a law office in Old Hickory, will be Dec. 19.

Incumbent Sen. Mae Beavers of Mount Juliet resigned from the seat to focus on her campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

If Pody wins the general election – and he’s the presumptive frontrunner in a district that has leaned strongly Republican in recent elections – the Wilson County commission would appoint a temporary successor to the House District 46 seat.